Never Forgotten

Well apparently I forgot to mention that Rennae, Trav & Dalton also came to Jeremy's for Christmas dinner. Its not that I forgot to mention them, I just didn't feel the need in the last post I posted. This is a photo of Rennae with Dalton opening his present from Jeremy & Jacinta... A Country Road straw hat. Very cute. Oh by the way if you do look in my post titled Christmas 2008 you will find that you do get a mention there too.

Christmas Day this year was one of mixed feelings, as not all of our family were together for the first time. Even though Leah & Nathan were in Hawaii and Danni & the 2 little boys in Wangaratta, Jarrod was in South Australia still working. (Not really where he would want to be by himself on Christmas Day) we had a realatively good day. The day started out with Lync, Tyler & Jacob getting up at a resonable time, 8.30am. (I think this is also the first Christmas in about 30 years where we have not been up at the crack of dawn). Whilst we just started to undo our presents, Leah rang us on the skype and spent most of the morning and lunch time just watching us. I was ok until I spoke to Jarrod in S.A. and to hear him upset about not being home with his family, that was just enough to start me off. We did have a lovely lunch with Jeremy & Jacinta and Dad (Pop). After lunch we went to visit Des,Nick Lyndal & her family for a couple of drinks. For Christmas dinner we were invited to Jem & Jacinta's. We had a lovely night at their place. Thank you every one for a lovely day.

Christmas Day - 2008

Christmas - 2008

This year will be the first time all my family will not be together at Christmas. Boy how will I get through it?? Jarrod & Danni are living in Wangaratta, but Jarrod will be away still working in South Australia and not home for a few days after Christmas. He will miss out on Archer's first Christmas. Leah & Nathan are now living in Hawaii so they will not be home either. This year it is Rennae & Trav's turn to have lunch with the Key's. For Christmas lunch at my place this year there will be Steve and myself, my Dad (Pop), Lyncoln, Tyler & Jacob, Jeremy & Jacinta. That is eight in all. Never in my whole life have I EVER had 8 for Christmas lunch. Even when I was a child, we went to my grandmothers, and we always had all the family, and then when that got too big, we celebrated at my Mum & Dad's house and there was always more than eight for Christmas lunch. Boy what a contrast it will be. I have always had very fond memories of Christmas, because when my mother was alive, she absolutely loved Christmas and I think she has made me love it as well. She would always dress Christmas like when she would go off to Bingo. She would have her Christmas earrings in and a Christmas brooch. She was always so very happy. I think it was also the thought of having all her family around her at this time of the year

Christmas Tree

Tonight we decided to put up the Christmas Tree. One day early but as it was a Sunday I thought it would be much easier to do. I think this tree is about to reach it's 'Use By' date. Each year I say we do really need a new one, but somehow it keeps on keeping on. As it is a fairly big tree it seems to take ages to decorate, but always looks lovely when finished.

Christmas Pudding

Well it is that time of year again. Time to make the Christmas pudding. Last night Lyncoln & I made this years Christmas Pudding, only this time I didn't have to make an extra big one. My Grandfather use to always make this pudding recipe and then my mother use to make it. For some reason along the way it has now become my responsibility for the last 20 years to cook the Christmas pudding. This year will be a very quiet Christmas indeed. As Leah & Nathan are now living in Hawaii and Danni Jarrod & the boys are in Wangaratta, and it is Rennae & Trav's turn to have Christmas lunch with the Keys's, there will only be 8 of us for Christmas lunch. Pop, Lyncoln Tyler Jacob, Jeremy Jacinta Steve and myself. I cannot remember the last time there was only 8 of us for Christmas, (well matter of a fact I don't think there ever has been only 8 for Christmas.) I know Christmas will definately not be the same without Leah being with us to help celebrate as she has always been with us each Christmas, and the same goes for Jarrod. Never has there ever been a Christmas without him as well. One can only say things never stay the same. Make the most of it while it lasts. When I think of my Mother, it is always on Christmas day, that I see her come bounding out of the house in her white 3/4 pants and aqua shirt. She was like a real big kid at Christmas. She just loved that everyone got together. Unfortunalely for me (& my family) she is not around to enjoy the festive season with us anymore. So all I can say is for everyone to enjoy each others company as you never know when it will be the last Christmas that you share with them....Mum I miss you more than words can ever say.

Lyncoln's Valadictory Dinner

Last night we had Lyncoln's Valadictory Dinner for graduating from Year 12 at Oberon High School. Des & Nick came with us to help celebrate the night. I can't believe that little boy is now 18 and left school to hopefully go to Uni to study the course of his choice. This is a picture of Lyncoln & Morgan Frew who they have both been going to school together since Kindergarten.

We all had a fantastic night and I'm sure Lyncoln did too. Congratulations Lync on a very successful 13 years of schooling. We are so very proud of you.

Music for Mum & Dad

A couple of days ago in the post we received a parcel from Leah with 3 CD's each for Steve and I. Leah had made us both cd's to listen to. Mine was titled Mum's Mix from Hawaii, and Steve's were titled Dad's Mix from Hawaii. I have already put mine on my Ipod so I can listen to them, and I have to put Steve's on his new Ipod which Leah & Rennae had bought him for Father's Day. We both thought this was a lovely little surprise from Leah as she knows just how much we love our music. So Thankyou Leah for our surprise. We love you very very much. x x x

Dalton turns 3

Today my eldest grandchild Dalton Thomas turned 3..where has that time gone? He is the eldest of my three grandsons born to my eldest child, my daughter Rennae & her husband Trav. Dalton is just the most gorgeous grandson any one could ask for, He has a beautiful temperament, and I love him dearly. I only hope one day he feels the same way about me as I do him. Happy 3rd Birthday Dalton, Nanny loves you heaps x x x

Aidan

This is Aidan on the slide when we took him to the park which is only
about 4 houses away from Danni & Jarrod's house.

WEEKEND IN WANG

We have just got back from spending the past 3 days in Wangaratta with Jarrod & Danni. We have not seen then since they shifted up there with Aidan & Archer 7 weeks ago. Where has that tiny 3 month old baby gone? Now he is 5 months old and getting big. It was great to see them all. Danni was the perfect host and cooked us a lovely breakfast every day. She always made us feel very welcome in her home. I was very pleasantly surprised with the house they are in at the moment and it has plenty of room. We still miss seeing them down here, but I can only hope one day they will come back to Barwon Heads to live once again. Thanks for a great time Jarrod & Danni

PARCEL

Yesterday we received a parcel from Leah in Hawaii. In it were lollies for the boys..(not just any lollies they were Jolly Ranchers.) Some earrings for Rennae, TShirt for Dalton and some calendars. It also contained a white box and in it was a 'Love' bracelet (in red tones) for me.. which I will treasure. Also there was a beautiful little necklace as well. Thanks Nellie we all appreciate them very much x x x

Beautiful Grandsons

Yesterday I received an email from my daughter with this photo attached with two of her nephews..which are two of my grandsons...How gorgeous are they? I can't believe this photo was taken from Skype. Leah is in Hawaii and my two grandsons are now living in Wangaratta. Archer (4months) is on the left & Aidan (2years) is on the right. What a magnificant photo. One very proud Nanny who misses them very very much.

Gift from Hawaii

On Friday we received in the post the 'Love Book' that we send back and forth to Leah so we can each write our thoughts and things that we are up to in. In the parcel Leah had also sent two string of shells that I have put around each of my lamps. Aren't they cute?

Empty Nest

Well today we said Goodbye (or see you soon) to Jarrod, Danni, Aidan & Archer. Well with Leah & Nathan living in Hawaii and now Jarrod living in Wangaratta, I feel like all my children are leaving the 'Nest'... Not a very nice feeling, but I do love them all very much and only hope that one day they all may come back to Barwon Heads to live.

I think Steve must have felt very sorry for me today because he bought me a 'Willow Statue' called"Healing Grace" - May a quiet strength bring you grace.

Children Leaving

Tonight the family had dinner together, as Jarrod & his family are off to Wangaratta to live. (I hope they don't like it and come back..) They have decided to give Wang a try as Jarrod is no longer fishing. Well I have just lost Leah to Hawaii and now Jarrod to Wang. Not the way I had hoped things would have turned out, but I can't keep them tied to my apron strings forever I guess, although I would have liked to. I do hope all goes well for them all though, and I will still love them all. I will miss everyone terribly and especially Aidan and Archer. They grow up so quickly as it is, let alone when we don't see them as often as we would like. We hope all goes well.

My Statue

This is my statue of 'Mother & Daughter' that was given to me from my beautiful daughter Leah before she left to go to live in Hawaii. I also gave her one. It just shows our love for each other. I Love You Leah.

Leah & I at her Farewell Dinner at 'Barwon Orange'

My Daughter - Leah

Boy, Leah sure does know how to make her Mother cry. I just read a post she put on her Blog "Button by the beach".. What a beautiful piece she wrote. Well it does make you feel very proud of what she wrote. It makes you stop and think...."Well I didn't do too bad of a job of raising children after all". I have just realized that she must feel the same about me as I have always felt about my mother. The only thing is that my mother is no longer around for me to keep telling her how much I Love her. But I know when she was here that she definately knew how much I loved her. We did everything together, and I saw her all the time, so when she died when I was 5 months pregnant with my 7th (and last) child I was absolutely devastated. I felt very sad that she would never get to meet this baby, her grandchild. And yes, she was My Very Best Friend.
Always tell those close to you just how much they mean to you..I did, and I am just so grateful for that.

Leah, I Love You so so much x x x

My First Post

I thought I would start up a Blog to coinside with Leah moving to Hawaii.
I can't believe our baby daughter has gone away so far from home, when she could not even stay the night at the next door neighbours as she missed her family.
Boy how times change.